Grounded in the World

Lifepoint Church pastor Marcus Van Every leads the Hope For Kids fourth through sixth graders at Tunica Academy as they sing and quote Scripture at the school’s Grandparents Day last week.

As gaming taxes lag, town looks for $s

Written by By Meg Coker
Friday, 25 April 2014 19:30

Changes to the Town of Tunica’s water and sewer rates may be on the way as officials consider how to make utilities self sufficient and make up for lost gaming revenue.

Hamp Beatty and Dr. Jason Barrett of Mississippi State University presented a water rate study to the Mayor and Board of Aldermen on April 15.

Beatty said the town took in $789,649 in water and sewer fees for fiscal year 2013. Debt service affiliated with water and sewer system was $1,214, 499. The town faced a $424,338 cash deficit, which was made up by transfer from the general fund and a beginning cash balance.

“It’s basically a break even operation,” Beatty said.

Barrett then presented a breakdown of actual consumption and said only 10 percent of residents would be affected by dropping water and sewer minimums from 6,000 gallons to 4,000 gallons. Barrett said that “little changes could generate income” for the system.

Questions fill county meeting

Written by BY Brooks Taylor
Friday, 25 April 2014 19:28

Tunica County officials are preparing to issue a Request for Proposals for health insurance coverage. The current policy with Cigna ends June 1, and changes in insurance coverage will likely impact over 360 employees plus a number of elected officials who participate in the county insurance plan.

Supervisors have been discussing various options for over a year and hired Nick Floyd as its agent of record on April 7.